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Traveling With Disabilities

Each country has its own standards of accessibility for persons with disabilities. Before you travel, visit travel.state.gov/destination and enter a country or area to find information for mobility-impaired travelers in the Special Laws & Circumstances section. Many countries do not legally require accomodations, as does the United States.

Know Before You Go

  • CONSULT your travel agent, hotel, airline or cruise ship compnay to learn abour services during your trip and your destination, including those for your service dog.

  • CALL Call the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) helpline for travelers with disabilities and medical conditions.

  • CHECK websites such as Mobility International USA to find overseas disability organizations.

  • READ Section 6 of the State Department's Human Rights Report for information of the human rights and social service framework protecting citizens with disabilities in your destination country.

Service Animals

  • CONTACT the U.S. embassy or consulate of your destination country for information on possible restrictions and cultural norms about service animals.

  • FOUND OUT about any quarantine, vaccination, and documentation requirements.

  • CHECK websites such as Mobility International USA to find overseas disability organizations.

  • TALK WITH YOUR VET about tips for traveling with your service animalrights and social service. 

  • MAKE SURE your hotel will accommodate your service animal.

Medical Considerations

Consult with your physician before traveling overseas to identify health care needs during your trip. If your health insurance plan does not provide coverage overseas, we strongly recommend supplemental medical insurance and medical evacuation plans.

  • VISIT our webpage, Your Health Abroad.

  • CARRY medical alert information and a letter from your health care provider describing your medical condition, medications, potential complications, and other pertinent medical information.

  • CARRY sufficient prescription medication to last your entire trip, including extra medicine in case of delay. Some prescription medications that are legal in the United States are illegal in other countries. See travel.state.gov/destination for the specific area where you will be traveling, and contact the foreign embassy or consulate for more information.

  • ALWAYS carry your prescriptions in their labeled containers, not in a pill pack. 

Stay Connected

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier for the U.S. embassy or consulate to help in an emergency.  

NOTE:  INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THIS PAGE CAN BE FOUND ON THE US DEPARTMENT OF STATE - BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS WEBSITE

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